Hackers working for the Chinese government and military had probed Australia’s telecommunications network and critical infrastructure, Australia’s spy chief said yesterday, warning of the potential for disruption to the economy if a sabotage were carried out.
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General of Security Mike Burgess told a business conference in Melbourne that espionage was estimated to have cost Australia A$12.5 billion (US$8.17 billion) last year, including the loss of A$2 billion in trade secrets and intellectual property.
Burgess highlighted the threat of cybersabotage, describing the activities of the Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon Chinese hacking groups, which he said were “hackers working for Chinese government intelligence and their military.”
Photo: Bloomberg
China’s embassy in Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Australian officials to “stop making irresponsible remarks.”
Salt Typhoon had not only penetrated US telecommunications systems in a strategic spying operation, but also “have been probing our telecommunication networks here in Australia too,” Burgess said.
Volt Typhoon had intention to disrupt, compromising US critical infrastructure to pre-position for potential sabotage, he said.
“We have seen Chinese hackers probing our critical infrastructure as well,” he added.
Burgess warned of the potential impact on the community of widespread telecommunications disruption, including to banks and transport, and through cut off water supplies and power.
“I assure you; these are not hypotheticals — foreign governments have elite teams investigating these possibilities right now,” he said.
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